In Texas, anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected has a legal obligation to report it. Professional reporters are required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect within 48 hours.

A Professional Reporter is anyone licensed or certified by the state or works for an agency or facility licensed or certified by the state and has contact with children as a result of their normal duties. By law, professionals may not delegate their duty to report to another person such as a coworker or family member.

Professional reporters include, but are not limited to:

Teachers

Nurses

Doctors

Daycare employees

Employees of a clinic or health care facility that provides reproductive services

Juvenile probation, detention or correctional officers

It is the responsibility of professionals to report and the responsibility of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to investigate allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect.

Training Objectives

This training seeks to provide school staff with the following:

Abuse and neglect definitions.

Introduction of two realistic abuse/neglect reporting scenarios.

A walk-through of the web-based online reporting system.

Guidance on commonly asked questions.

Approximate Time to Complete Course: 1 hour.

This tutorial does not meet all training requirements mandated by Texas Education Code § 38.0041 (c)(2).

You will have the opportunity to earn and print a "Certificate of Completion" at the conclusion of the course review. Effective September 12, 2014, this will be the only certificate for the course.